Limb volume measurements: comparison of accuracy and decisive parameters of the most used present methods

Abstract

Limb volume measurements are used for evaluating growth of muscle mass and effectivity of strength training. Beside sport sciences, it is used e.g. for detection of oedemas, lymphedemas or carcinomas or for examinations of muscle atrophy. There are several commonly used methods, but there is a lack of clear comparison, which shows their advantages and limits. The accuracy of each method is uncertainly estimated only. The aim of this paper is to determine and experimentally verify their accuracy and compare them among each other. Water Displacement Method (WD), three methods based on circumferential measures—Frustum Sign Model (FSM), Disc Model (DM), Partial Frustum Model (PFM) and two 3D scan based methods Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were compared. Precise reference cylinders and limbs of two human subjects were measured 10 times by each method. Personal dependency of methods was also tested by measuring 10 times the same object by 3 different people. Accuracies: WD 0.3 %, FSM 2–8 % according person, DM, PFM 1–8 %, MRI 2 % (hand) or 8 % (finger), CT 0.5 % (hand) or 2 % (finger);times: FSM 1 min, CT 7 min, WD, DM, PFM 15 min, MRI 19 min; and more. WD was found as the best method for most of uses with best accuracy. The CT disposes with almost the same accuracy and allows measurements of specific regions (e.g. particular muscles), as same as MRI, which accuracy is worse though, but it is not harmful. Frustum Sign Model is usable for very fast estimation of limb volume, but with lower accuracy, Disc Model and Partial Frustum Model is useful in cases when Water Displacement cannot be used.

Quantitative volumetrische Analyse der unteren Extremität: Validierung gegenüber etablierter Maßbandmessung und Wasserverdrängung

“…Trotz zahlreicher mit Volumenschwankungen einhergehender Pathologien, wie generellen Ödemen, Lip-oder Lymphödemen, benignen und malignen Tumoren, sowie ästhetischer Gesichtspunkte, blieb die untere Extremität jedoch bis vor kurzem dieser objektiven 3D Messmethode verwehrt. Zur Quantifizierung von Beinveränderungen werden allem voran Umfangsmessungen durchgeführt [13][14][15] aus denen abschnittsweise Zustandsänderungen interpretiert werden. In der Literatur [16] wurden neben der CT-und MRT-Diagnostik verschiedene Methoden wie Wasserverdrängung und Perometrie zur Volumenverlaufskontrolle beschrieben.…”

Inter-observer and Intra-observer Variability in Volume Measurements of the Lower Extremity Using Perometer

“…1 The ideal method of measurement according to Chromy is that it should be precise, reproducible, independent of the operator, simple, fast, and economically advantageous. 2 It is assumed that the characteristics that define the best volumetric measuring method are the same for both the upper and the lower limbs. Therefore, the characteristics listed above are considered when assessing the optimum method of volumetric measurement for the lower extremities.…”

“…Additionally, the patient's motor skills, flexibility, vulnerability to cross infection, test timing, and the complex setup of the equipment required are just a few of the factors, which serve as examples of the disadvantages of the method. 2 Furthermore, it should be taken into consideration that the measurements are taken on patients affected by edema who often have poor mobility posing as a clear additional disadvantage. In relation to lymphedema in the arms, this method is also complicated in its usage as it can be difficult to perform and to determine the level of measurement to the axilla.…”

“…Thus, the volume determination depends on the specific metric, as the values, among other things, vary depending on how much the tape measure is tightened. 2 Consequently, it can be concluded that the tape measure is neither precise, reproducible, nor operator independent, hence the method is not ideal.…”

Automated body volume acquisitions from 3D structured-light scanning

“…However, underwater weighing and air displacement usually require non-portable equipment and can only measure whole-body volumes [9]. A number of specific containers for water displacement were required to measure the body volume of different segments [10]. Medical methods such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging contain some health risk (e.g.…”